System and method of managing time-sensitive items

ABSTRACT

A method of managing time-sensitive items which relies on identification information of RFID labels associated with the items. The method includes the steps of identifying the time-sensitive item, and obtaining the expiration information from a web site of a seller of the time-sensitive item. In another form concerned with products, the method includes the steps of identifying an EPL associated with the product, causing the EPL to interrogate an RFID label on the product, receiving identification information from the RFID label, and obtaining the expiration information about the product using the identification information from the RFID label. The method additionally compares the expiration information with current date information and either causes the EPL to display a lower price or assists with removal of expired instances of a product through a report.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic price label (EPL)systems, and more specifically to a system and method of managingtime-sensitive items.

[0002] EPL systems typically include a plurality of EPLs for merchandiseitems in a transaction establishment. EPLs typically display the priceof corresponding merchandise items on store shelves and are typicallyattached to a rail or shelf channel along the leading edge of theshelves. A transaction establishment may contain thousands of EPLs todisplay the prices of the merchandise items. The EPLs are coupled to acentral server from where information about the EPLs is typicallymaintained in an EPL data file. Price information displayed by the EPLsis obtained from a price look-up (PLU) data file.

[0003] RFID technology provides an alternative to bar code readertechnology for distinguishing and recording items for purchase. Some ofthe uses of RFID technology are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,394assigned to the assignee of the present invention. This patent is herebyincorporated by reference.

[0004] Products such as produce items, bakery items, and dairy productshave short shelf lives. Non-food items, such as newspapers, magazines,and flowers also have short time spans for selling. Once the expirationdate approaches, retailers may mark down items for quick sale or let theitems expire and dispose of them. Remarking and disposing of products islabor-intensive.

[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to combine the communicationcapabilities of electronic price label systems with RFID technology inorder to lower prices and identify expired products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, asystem and method of managing time-sensitive items is provided.

[0007] In one embodiment, the includes a first computer which has a website address and which stores the information about the time-sensitiveitem, and a second computer which identifies the time-sensitive item andwhich contacts the first computer to obtain the information.

[0008] In another embodiment, the system includes an RFID label affixedto the product, and a computer which identifies an EPL associated withthe product, causes the EPL to interrogate the RFID label, receivesidentification information from the RFID label, and obtains theinformation about the product using the identification information fromthe RFID label.

[0009] In another embodiment, the system includes an RFID label affixedto the product, a first computer associated with a supplier of theproduct which has a web site address and which stores the expirationinformation about the product, and a second computer which identifies anEPL associated with the product, causes the EPL to interrogate the RFIDlabel, receives identification information from the RFID label, sendsthe identification information from the RFID label to the firstcomputer, and receives the expiration information about the product fromthe first computer. The second computer may generate a reportidentifying the product as being expired if current date information isafter the expiration information, or cause the EPL to display a lowerprice if the current date information is within a predetermine timebefore the expiration information.

[0010] The method includes the steps of identifying the time-sensitiveitem, and obtaining the expiration information from a web site of aseller of the time-sensitive item. In another form concerned withproducts, the method includes the steps of identifying an EPL associatedwith the product, causing the EPL to interrogate an RFID label on theproduct, receiving identification information from the RFID label, andobtaining the expiration information about the product using theidentification information from the RFID label. The method additionallycompares the expiration information with current date information andeither causes the EPL to display a lower price or assists with removalof expired instances of a product through a report.

[0011] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide asystem and method of managing time-sensitive items.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to use expirationdate information stored in a product RFID label to automatically lowerprices before the expiration date.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to use expirationdate information stored in a product RFID label to generate a reportidentifying expired products.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to obtaininformation about an item, such as expiration information, from a website of a supplier or manufacturer using identification informationassociated with an RFID label affixed to the item.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to obtain RFIDlabel information through an electronic price label system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which this inventionrelates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transaction processing system;

[0018]FIG. 2 is representative diagram of data files used by thetransaction processing system; and

[0019]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, transaction system 10 primarily includesserver 12 and EPL computer 14, and radio frequency identification (RFID)label 20.

[0021] Server 12 handles price requests from transaction terminals andmaintains price information in PLU data file 22.

[0022] Server 12 also executes expiration management software 26 whichtracks product expiration information. Expiration information is storedwithin expiration data file 28, either locally at server 12 or atanother server, such as a World Wide Web (Web) server 16 of the seller,who may be a supplier or manufacturer, and who determines the expirationinformation for its products.

[0023] Expiration management software 26 uses the identificationinformation from RFID labels 20 to determine dates of expiration forcorresponding items from expiration data file 28. Expiration managementsoftware 26 instructs EPL software 42 to send a message to an EPL 34associated with an aging item with instructions to display a lowerprice.

[0024] Expiration management software 26 maintains report data file 32,which contains a list of aging items and corresponding their RFID labelidentification information. Report data file 32 may additionally includeEPLs 34 associated with aging products. Expiration management software26 provides reports which may be displayed by display 36 or printed byprinter 40. A store employee may manage reporting and data entry throughinput device 38, which may include a keyboard.

[0025] To assist with execution of certain tasks performed by expirationmanagement software 26, server 12 includes a built-in time keepingdevice, commonly referred to as a system clock, which is synchronizedwith current time, in order to automatically execute the tasks at theirscheduled times.

[0026] The present invention also envisions that the functions of server12 may be handled by EPL computer 14, or vise versa, effectivelycombining both of their functions into a single computer.

[0027] EPL computer 14 executes EPL software 42. EPL software 42 isresponsible for scheduling and transmitting messages to EPLs 34,including messages containing price data. EPL software 42 obtains pricesfrom PLU data file 22.

[0028] EPL software 42 periodically sends messages to EPLs 34 associatedwith perishable items requesting identification information from RFIDlabels 20. EPL software 42 activates RFID interrogators 30 and forwardsreceived identification information from RFID labels 20 to expirationmanagement software 26.

[0029] Communication between EPL computer 14 and EPLs 34 may be wirelessor wired communication.

[0030] EPL 34 includes control circuitry 50, display 52, and memory 54.Control circuitry 50 controls operation of EPL 34. Control circuitry 50receives incoming messages from EPL computer 14 and acknowledgesmessages from EPL computer 14. Control circuitry 50 receives RFIDidentification information from RFID interrogators 30 and stores theidentification information in memory 54 until it can be sent to EPLcomputer 14. Control circuitry 50 also displays a lower price on display52 in response to a message from EPL software 42.

[0031] EPL software 42 maintains EPL data file 56 which includes EPLidentification information and price verification information.

[0032] RFID interrogator 30 receives identification information fromnearby items bearing RFID labels 20. Communicates the identificationinformation to EPL software 42 through EPL 34. RFID interrogator 30 maybe mounted to shelves or integrated into shelves.

[0033] RFID label 20 includes RFID communicator 60, which sendsidentification information to RFID interrogators 30. RFID communicator60 may be a passive device, which uses energy from RF, capacitive, orinductive energy fields. RFID communicator 60 may receive power from RFenergy transmitted by RFID interrogator 30. RFID communicator 60 sends aunique identifier to RFID interrogator 30.

[0034] Turning now to FIG. 2, PLU data file 22, EPL data file 56 andexpiration data file 28 are shown in more detail.

[0035] PLU data file 22 includes entries ITEM ID, PRICE1, PRICE2, TIME,and PERISH.

[0036] Entry ITEM ID represents information identifying an item.

[0037] Entries PRICE1 and PRICE2 identify prices which may be chargedfor the item. PRICE1 is a normal price and PRICE2 is a discount price.

[0038] Entries TIME identifies a time difference from expiration forcharging PRICE2.

[0039] Entry PERISH represents a date flag which is set to either on oroff. If the flag is on, then the item is a perishable item with anexpiration date. Otherwise, the item is not a perishable item.

[0040] EPL data file 56 includes entries EPL ID, ITEM ID, and PRICE.

[0041] Entry EPL ID represents information identifying EPLs 34. Each EPL34 has a unique identification.

[0042] Entry ITEM ID represents information identifying an item which isassociated with a particular EPL 34 and is located adjacent EPL 34.

[0043] Entry PRICE represents price information for the item associatedwith EPL 34. Price information is derived from PLU data file 22 and mayinclude price verification information.

[0044] Expiration data file 28 is maintained by a seller who determinesexpiration dates for products and who affixes RFID labels 20 to theproducts. Expiration data file 28 includes entries ITEM ID, RFID, andEXP.

[0045] Entry ITEM ID represents information identifying an item which isassociated with a particular RFID label 20.

[0046] Entry RFID represents information identifying each RFID label 20.

[0047] Entry EXP represents expiration date information for each RFIDlabel 20.

[0048] Turning now to FIG. 3, the method is illustrated in more detailbeginning with START 70.

[0049] In step 72, expiration management software 26 reads a record inPLU data file 22.

[0050] In step 74, expiration management software 26 determines whetherthe PERISH flag is set for the ITEM ID. If so, operation proceeds tostep 76. Otherwise, operation proceeds to step 92.

[0051] In step 76, expiration management software 26 reads acorresponding entry EPL ID from EPL data file 56.

[0052] In step 78, expiration management software 26 signals EPLsoftware 42 to send a message to the identified EPL 34 to activate RFIDinterrogator 30.

[0053] In response to the message, EPL 34 activates RFID interrogator30. RFID interrogator 30 receives identification information from RFIDlabels 20 on the instances of the product identified by ITEM ID. Eachinstance has a unique RFID label 20 in order to separate newer productsfrom older products.

[0054] In step 80, expiration management software 26 receives theidentification information from EPL software 36.

[0055] In step 82, expiration management software 26 obtains expirationinformation associated with the identification information fromexpiration data file 28.

[0056] In step 84, expiration management software 26 compares expirationdates with a current date to see if any of the expiration dates arebefore the current date. If so, operation proceeds to step 86.Otherwise, operation proceeds to step 88.

[0057] In step 86, expiration management software 26 stores entries EPLID, ITEM ID, and/or RFID of expired items in report data file 32.Operation proceeds to step 88.

[0058] In step 88, expiration management software 26 compares thedifference between the current date and the expiration dates with entryTIME to determine whether an associated EPL 34 should display a lowerprice. If so, operation proceeds to step 90. Otherwise, operationproceeds to step 92.

[0059] In step 90, expiration management software 26 causes EPL software42 to schedule a message commanding EPL 34 to display the lower price.The lower price PRICE2 may be contained with the message or previouslystored within memory 54 of EPL 34 and activated by the message.

[0060] In step 92, expiration management software 26 determines whetherthe ITEM ID record in PLU data file 22 is the last record. If not,operation returns to step 72 to read another record. Otherwise,operation proceeds to step 94.

[0061] In step 94, expiration management software 26 generates a reportto assist store employees in removing expired products. The report maybe printed by printer 40 or displayed by display 36. Store employeesview the expired sign on affected EPLs 34 and visually check expirationdates to determine the expired products. Operation ends in step 96.

[0062] Operation of expiration management software 26 may be scheduledor conducted manually.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations andmodifications of the present invention can be effected within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of obtaining information about a time-sensitiveitem comprising the steps of: identifying the time-sensitive item; andobtaining the information from a web site.
 2. A method of obtainingexpiration information about a time-sensitive item comprising the stepsof: identifying the time-sensitive item; and obtaining the expirationinformation from a web site of a seller of the time-sensitive item.
 3. Amethod of obtaining information about a product comprising the steps of:identifying an EPL associated with the product; causing the EPL tointerrogate an RFID label on the product; receiving identificationinformation from the RFID label; and obtaining the information about theproduct using the identification information from the RFID label.
 4. Amethod of obtaining information about an instance of a productcomprising the steps of: identifying an EPL associated with the product;causing the EPL to interrogate an RFID label on the instance of theproduct; receiving identification information from the RFID label; andobtaining the information about the instance of the product using theidentification information from the RFID label.
 5. The method as recitedin claim 4, wherein the step of obtaining comprises the substep of:obtaining the information from a web site of a seller of the instance.6. A method of obtaining expiration information about an instance of aproduct comprising the steps of: identifying an EPL associated with theproduct; causing the EPL to interrogate an RFID label on the instance ofthe product; receiving identification information from the RFID label;and obtaining the expiration information about the instance of theproduct using the identification information from the RFID label.
 7. Themethod as recited in claim 4, wherein the step of obtaining comprisesthe substep of: obtaining the expiration information from a web site ofa seller of the instance.
 8. A method of pricing a product comprisingthe steps of: identifying an EPL associated with the product; causingthe EPL to interrogate an RFID label on the product; receivingidentification information from the RFID label; obtaining expirationinformation about the instance of the product using the identificationinformation from the RFID label; and comparing the expirationinformation with current date information to determine a new price forthe product.
 9. A method of pricing a product comprising the steps of:identifying an EPL associated with the product; causing the EPL tointerrogate RFID labels on a number of instances of the product inproximity with the EPL; receiving identification information from theRFID labels; obtaining expiration information about the instances of theproduct using the identification information from the RFID labels;comparing the expiration information with current date information; andif the current date information is within a predetermined time period ofthe expiration information of any of the instances of the product, thencausing the EPL to display a lower price for the product.
 10. The methodas recited in claim 9, wherein the step of obtaining comprises thesubstep of: obtaining the expiration information for the instances froma web site of a seller of the product.
 11. A method of identifying anexpired instance of a product comprising the steps of: determining thatthe product is time-sensitive; identifying an EPL associated with theproduct; causing the EPL to interrogate RFID labels on a number ofinstances of the product in proximity with the EPL; receivingidentification information from the RFID labels; obtaining expirationinformation about the instances of the product using the identificationinformation from the RFID labels; comparing the expiration informationabout the instances with current date information; and if the currentdate information is after the expiration information of any of theinstances of the product, then generating a report to assist withremoval of expired instances of the product.
 12. A system for obtaininginformation about a time-sensitive item comprising: a first computerwhich has a web site address and which stores the information about thetime-sensitive item; and a second computer which identifies thetime-sensitive item and which contacts the first computer to obtain theinformation.
 13. A system for obtaining information about atime-sensitive item comprising: a first computer associated with asupplier of the time-sensitive item which has a web site address andwhich stores the information about the time-sensitive item; and a secondcomputer associated with a retailer of the time-sensitive item whichidentifies the time-sensitive item and which contacts the first computerto obtain the information.
 14. A system for obtaining information abouta product comprising: an RFID label affixed to the product; and acomputer which identifies an EPL associated with the product, causes theEPL to interrogate the RFID label, receives identification informationfrom the RFID label, and obtains the information about the product usingthe identification information from the RFID label.
 15. A system forobtaining information about a product comprising: an RFID label affixedto the product; a first computer associated with a supplier of theproduct which has a web site address and which stores the informationabout the product; and a second computer which identifies an EPLassociated with the product, causes the EPL to interrogate the RFIDlabel, receives identification information from the RFID label, sendsthe identification information from the RFID label to the firstcomputer, and receives the information about the product from the firstcomputer.
 16. A system for obtaining expiration information about aproduct comprising: an RFID label affixed to the product; a firstcomputer associated with a supplier of the product which has a web siteaddress and which stores the expiration information about the product;and a second computer which identifies an EPL associated with theproduct, causes the EPL to interrogate the RFID label, receivesidentification information from the RFID label, sends the identificationinformation from the RFID label to the first computer, and receives theexpiration information about the product from the first computer.
 17. Asystem of pricing a product comprising: an RFID label affixed to aninstance of the product; and a computer which identifies an EPLassociated with the product, causes the EPL to interrogate the RFIDlabel on the instance of the product, receives identificationinformation from the RFID label, obtains expiration information aboutthe instance of the product using the identification information fromthe RFID label, and compares the expiration information with currentdate information to determine a new price for the product.
 18. Thesystem as recited in claim 17, further comprising: another computerassociated with a supplier of the product which has a web site addressand which stores the expiration information about the instance of theproduct; wherein the one computer sends the identification informationfrom the RFID label to the other computer and receives the expirationinformation about the product from the other computer.
 19. The system asrecited in claim 18, wherein the one computer generates a reportidentifying the instance of the product as being expired if the currentdate information is after the expiration information.
 20. The system asrecited in claim 18, wherein the one computer causes the EPL to displaya lower price if the current date information is within a predeterminetime before the expiration information.